Five men and women have successfully completed a rigorous yearlong basic training program to become astronauts, graduating with a new title at a ceremony in Cologne, Germany. The European Space Agency (ESA) welcomed these individuals to its astronaut corps, making them eligible for missions to the International Space Station, bringing the total number of astronauts to 11.
ESA has secured three spots on future Artemis moon missions through negotiations with NASA, with the likelihood that more senior astronauts will be selected for these missions. The agency is also providing the service module for the Orion crew capsule, relying on NASA and other partners for space travel.
This astronaut class, only the fourth since 1978 for the 22-country agency, was chosen from a pool of 22,500 applicants. The five graduates possess impressive backgrounds with advanced scientific and medical degrees, military training, and experience in various flying and outdoor activities.
The group demonstrated strong teamwork and camaraderie, with a shared goal of space exploration. The astronauts underwent intense training, including exposure to high G-forces in a centrifuge, underwater simulations, survival training, and academic coursework on space-related topics.
Despite the challenges, the astronauts remained focused and determined to achieve their dream of space travel. One member, a French air force helicopter test pilot, shared her excitement at the prospect of venturing into space after years of preparation.
The diverse group of astronauts includes individuals from Spain, the UK, Belgium, Switzerland, and Australia. Each member brings a unique set of skills and expertise to the team, ranging from aeronautical engineering to biomedical research.
The training program also emphasized the importance of learning Russian, a key language for operations on the International Space Station. Despite recent tensions, ESA continues to collaborate with Russia on space missions.
